Scripture:
Psalm 97:10 "You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked".
Observation:
The Psalmist encourages those who love the Lord to also hate evil. He records that those who hate evil and live godly lives will be protected and rescued from the ungodly. He makes a correlation between our right living and God's rescuing and protection.
Application:
We need to hate evil more! We must love God and hate evil. many times we wonder why God doesn't protect us better or rescue us when we are in trouble. Could it be that we are living ungodly lives? Could it be that we don't hate evil? God wants His people to come out from among them and be holy as He is holy. When we are doing that, He will take care of our enemies.
Prayer:
Lord, let my life be godly in every area. Forgive me for not hating evil as I should. Teach me to walk in your paths of righteousness and see sin and evil through your eyes. Show me how to walk in Your ways and not simply by comparing myself to someone else and feeling I am doing better than them. I want to be pure before You, hate what you hate, and love what you love!
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A Challenge
Scripture:
Psalm 96:2 "Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves".
Observation:
The Psalmist encourages each person to daily proclaim the good news that God saves. Many times, the hardest conversation to get into is the one that contains the best news. Isn't it amazing that when we eat at a great restaurant or see a good movie, that we tell everyone about it. When God does something great in our lives, we are hesitant to say anything to anybody. We must begin to proclaim the good news that He saves DAILY!
Application:
I want to be a person that shares the good news with someone every single day. I want to be able to say with the Psalmist that "He saves". I am being challenged today to share the good news at least once per day in some way with someone. I personally have no problem talking about football with someone, but find it harder to talk about Jesus to the same person. I want to change that in my life.
Prayer:
Father, make me more bold for You. Help me to witness to at least one person per day. Help me declare the good news that You save at least once per day. I want to be a vessel in your hand that you can use to touch many lives. Help me start today and give me the strength to not let a day go by without sharing good news with someone.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 96:2 "Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves".
Observation:
The Psalmist encourages each person to daily proclaim the good news that God saves. Many times, the hardest conversation to get into is the one that contains the best news. Isn't it amazing that when we eat at a great restaurant or see a good movie, that we tell everyone about it. When God does something great in our lives, we are hesitant to say anything to anybody. We must begin to proclaim the good news that He saves DAILY!
Application:
I want to be a person that shares the good news with someone every single day. I want to be able to say with the Psalmist that "He saves". I am being challenged today to share the good news at least once per day in some way with someone. I personally have no problem talking about football with someone, but find it harder to talk about Jesus to the same person. I want to change that in my life.
Prayer:
Father, make me more bold for You. Help me to witness to at least one person per day. Help me declare the good news that You save at least once per day. I want to be a vessel in your hand that you can use to touch many lives. Help me start today and give me the strength to not let a day go by without sharing good news with someone.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wisdom
Scripture:
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom".
Observation:
This is a Psalm of Moses. He asks the Lord to teach him the brevity of life so that he can grow in wisdom. Moses understands that wisdom comes from realizing how short life is. When you realize how short life is, you make your decisions count and apply more wisdom. When you think life is eternal on the earth and you are indestructible, you get wreckless with life.
Application:
We need to think about how short life really is. When we realize how short life is, some of the things we fight about, worry about, and get frustrated about, lose their importance in our lives. When you keep in mind the brevity of life, you want to enjoy it more and live a healthy, happy life on this earth. People who know they only have a couple years to live tend to make lists of the things they want to do before they die and try to accomplish them. People who think they have a long time, tend to live for today and worry about tomorrow.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to number my days and realize the brevity of life. Help me to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Let me make every day count for you. Help me be more wise with my time and to finish your work for my life. When this life is over, i will step into eternity. Help me live every day with eternity in mind.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom".
Observation:
This is a Psalm of Moses. He asks the Lord to teach him the brevity of life so that he can grow in wisdom. Moses understands that wisdom comes from realizing how short life is. When you realize how short life is, you make your decisions count and apply more wisdom. When you think life is eternal on the earth and you are indestructible, you get wreckless with life.
Application:
We need to think about how short life really is. When we realize how short life is, some of the things we fight about, worry about, and get frustrated about, lose their importance in our lives. When you keep in mind the brevity of life, you want to enjoy it more and live a healthy, happy life on this earth. People who know they only have a couple years to live tend to make lists of the things they want to do before they die and try to accomplish them. People who think they have a long time, tend to live for today and worry about tomorrow.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to number my days and realize the brevity of life. Help me to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Let me make every day count for you. Help me be more wise with my time and to finish your work for my life. When this life is over, i will step into eternity. Help me live every day with eternity in mind.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, October 25, 2010
Revive Us
Scripture:
Psalm 85:6 "Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in You?"
Observation:
The Psalmist is speaking of reviving Israel and making it powerful again. He states that people will rejoice in God when they have been revived. To revive means to bring back to life.
Application:
I want to see God revive His church again! I want to see the church of Jesus Christ alive and well, doing the will of God from the heart. I want to see God's people full of life. For too long the enemy has sucked the life out of God's people and caused them not to be able to produce fruit. I want to see Zoe life in the church again. I want God to breath again on His church as He breathed on Ezekiel's army in the valley of dry bones. I want God's people to rejoice in Him and simply to rejoice again.
Prayer:
Lord, let revival fires fall! Let Your glory be upon your people again. Let your people rejoice because God is moving. Let there be a new joy in the house of God. Let your people have an encounter with You. Revive your church and awaken this nation. Breathe life again into dry bones and let them live again. I cry out with the Psalmist, won't You revive us again, so your people can rejoice in You? Thank you for pouring out Your Spirit yesterday in our service. Increase it and let your people rejoice in their God.
Yours,
Jeff
Psalm 85:6 "Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in You?"
Observation:
The Psalmist is speaking of reviving Israel and making it powerful again. He states that people will rejoice in God when they have been revived. To revive means to bring back to life.
Application:
I want to see God revive His church again! I want to see the church of Jesus Christ alive and well, doing the will of God from the heart. I want to see God's people full of life. For too long the enemy has sucked the life out of God's people and caused them not to be able to produce fruit. I want to see Zoe life in the church again. I want God to breath again on His church as He breathed on Ezekiel's army in the valley of dry bones. I want God's people to rejoice in Him and simply to rejoice again.
Prayer:
Lord, let revival fires fall! Let Your glory be upon your people again. Let your people rejoice because God is moving. Let there be a new joy in the house of God. Let your people have an encounter with You. Revive your church and awaken this nation. Breathe life again into dry bones and let them live again. I cry out with the Psalmist, won't You revive us again, so your people can rejoice in You? Thank you for pouring out Your Spirit yesterday in our service. Increase it and let your people rejoice in their God.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Power Increase
Scripture:
Psalm 75:10 "For God says, 'I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly'".
Observation:
The Psalmist wrote this song speaking of what the Lord will do to His enemies. It is a Psalm speaking of God having the final say on the earth. He closes the Psalm by declaring, "I will increase the power of the godly". This verse stood out to me this morning as lately I have been really hungry to see God's power in my life again.
Application:
If God increases the power of the godly, and I want to see more of His power, then I must increase in godliness. If I want to see his power revealed in my generation, then I must live a more God centered life. He must be the center of everything I do.
Prayer:
Lord, I have allowed other things to play center stage in my life. I have always wanted to please You, but I have feared others more than You. Help me place increase in godliness, I want to be more like You. You are my everything! Help me become a godlier person. I long to see Your power revealed in Ashburn, VA. I also understand that Your power is revealed through people who are godly. Help me get there 100%.
Jeff
Psalm 75:10 "For God says, 'I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly'".
Observation:
The Psalmist wrote this song speaking of what the Lord will do to His enemies. It is a Psalm speaking of God having the final say on the earth. He closes the Psalm by declaring, "I will increase the power of the godly". This verse stood out to me this morning as lately I have been really hungry to see God's power in my life again.
Application:
If God increases the power of the godly, and I want to see more of His power, then I must increase in godliness. If I want to see his power revealed in my generation, then I must live a more God centered life. He must be the center of everything I do.
Prayer:
Lord, I have allowed other things to play center stage in my life. I have always wanted to please You, but I have feared others more than You. Help me place increase in godliness, I want to be more like You. You are my everything! Help me become a godlier person. I long to see Your power revealed in Ashburn, VA. I also understand that Your power is revealed through people who are godly. Help me get there 100%.
Jeff
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Throughout the Earth
Scripture:
Psalm 67:2 "May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere."
Observation:
The Psalmist desired to see his God known in all the earth. The cry of his heart was to see God exalted and people coming to Him. He had a desire for the whole earth to know the God of Israel.
Application:
I am with the Psalmist on this one. I want to see God's name lifted up throughout the entire world. I want to see nations that have rejected him totally, be turned around for His own glory. I want the world to see the power of God and serve him. God's heart has always been for the world to know him.
Prayer:
father, make your name known in all the earth. Rise up O God and move mightily in all the earth. Let all the nations tremble before you. Let your awesome name be named in every country of this earth. Throughout all the earth, may your name be praised!
You're the best!
Jeff
Psalm 67:2 "May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere."
Observation:
The Psalmist desired to see his God known in all the earth. The cry of his heart was to see God exalted and people coming to Him. He had a desire for the whole earth to know the God of Israel.
Application:
I am with the Psalmist on this one. I want to see God's name lifted up throughout the entire world. I want to see nations that have rejected him totally, be turned around for His own glory. I want the world to see the power of God and serve him. God's heart has always been for the world to know him.
Prayer:
father, make your name known in all the earth. Rise up O God and move mightily in all the earth. Let all the nations tremble before you. Let your awesome name be named in every country of this earth. Throughout all the earth, may your name be praised!
You're the best!
Jeff
Monday, October 18, 2010
God Does Not Ignore our Prayers
Scripture:
Psalm 66:20 "Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me".
Observation:
The psalmist understood that God does not ignore our prayers and that He doesn't withdraw his unfailing love form us. Verse 18 helps me understand it a little better when he says, "if I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened". He understood that God hears and answers as his people confess their sins and humble themselves before Him.
Application:
God does not ignore our prayers, but sometimes our prayers are hindered because of the unconfessed sin in our own hearts. Many times we get frustrated with God, when He is waiting on us to get our hearts right before Him. He always hears and answers. He doesn't ignore us, but He does wait for us to come before Him humbly and confess our sin. His love and faithfulness can be trusted, therefore i must confess my sins to Him and know I won't be ignored. I must do my part to see my prayers answered.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask you to help me to walk humbly before You and to continually confess my sins, that my prayers be not hindered. I want open and free communication with You. Thank you for hearing and not ignoring me when I pray. I want to know You more and walk with You more. Teach me the power of confessing my sin and help me to do it regularly.
Jeff
Psalm 66:20 "Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me".
Observation:
The psalmist understood that God does not ignore our prayers and that He doesn't withdraw his unfailing love form us. Verse 18 helps me understand it a little better when he says, "if I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened". He understood that God hears and answers as his people confess their sins and humble themselves before Him.
Application:
God does not ignore our prayers, but sometimes our prayers are hindered because of the unconfessed sin in our own hearts. Many times we get frustrated with God, when He is waiting on us to get our hearts right before Him. He always hears and answers. He doesn't ignore us, but He does wait for us to come before Him humbly and confess our sin. His love and faithfulness can be trusted, therefore i must confess my sins to Him and know I won't be ignored. I must do my part to see my prayers answered.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask you to help me to walk humbly before You and to continually confess my sins, that my prayers be not hindered. I want open and free communication with You. Thank you for hearing and not ignoring me when I pray. I want to know You more and walk with You more. Teach me the power of confessing my sin and help me to do it regularly.
Jeff
Friday, October 8, 2010
Angels
Scripture:
Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them".
Observation:
The angel of the Lord is seen many times in scripture. The angel of the Lord is a powerful angel that can defeat any enemy. He rises up to fight on behalf of God's people. In this verse we see that the angel of the Lord camps around, and delivers, those who fear the Lord.
Application:
Fearing the Lord has many benefits I am learning as I walk through Psalms this time. Here, the fear of the Lord causes the angel of the Lord to stay around me and deliver me from my enemies. This powerful angel goes to work on my behalf when I walk in the fear of the Lord. If I really believe this, stress in life is reduced because I would know that this powerful angel has got my back and will deliver me from any situation. You can rest easier knowing there are unseen forces working on your behalf at all times. This is brought on by the fear of the Lord.
Prayer:
Here I am again Lord asking you to teach me about the fear of the Lord. I know there are many benefits for those who fear you. I want to fall in that category. Teach me to fear you as I should and let your angels get my back.
I Love You Lord,
Jeff
Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them".
Observation:
The angel of the Lord is seen many times in scripture. The angel of the Lord is a powerful angel that can defeat any enemy. He rises up to fight on behalf of God's people. In this verse we see that the angel of the Lord camps around, and delivers, those who fear the Lord.
Application:
Fearing the Lord has many benefits I am learning as I walk through Psalms this time. Here, the fear of the Lord causes the angel of the Lord to stay around me and deliver me from my enemies. This powerful angel goes to work on my behalf when I walk in the fear of the Lord. If I really believe this, stress in life is reduced because I would know that this powerful angel has got my back and will deliver me from any situation. You can rest easier knowing there are unseen forces working on your behalf at all times. This is brought on by the fear of the Lord.
Prayer:
Here I am again Lord asking you to teach me about the fear of the Lord. I know there are many benefits for those who fear you. I want to fall in that category. Teach me to fear you as I should and let your angels get my back.
I Love You Lord,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Fear of the Lord
Scripture:
Psalm 25:12-13 "Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth".
Observation:
The fear of the Lord is something you don't hear talked about much anymore. The Psalmist understood the fear of the Lord. He knew that when you feared God, you obeyed God, and when you obey God, blessing follows. He understood some things we need to get ahold of today.
Application:
It is usually the fear of punishment that keeps you doing the right things in life. You don't speed, not because it isn't a good idea, but because you are afraid of a thing called a ticket. Fearing a spanking from a parent keeps a child in line and their obedience brings about blessing. Prosperity awaits those who really fear the Lord according to this verse and my children will be blessed. I want to understand the fear of the Lord better and bring about prosperity for my family.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to fear you. Teach me what it means to fear you. I want to please you every day of my life. I want to sit at your feet and learn of You. You are my rock and my salvation. I need you Lord. Help me to understand and walk in the fear of the Lord.
Yours,
Jeff
Psalm 25:12-13 "Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth".
Observation:
The fear of the Lord is something you don't hear talked about much anymore. The Psalmist understood the fear of the Lord. He knew that when you feared God, you obeyed God, and when you obey God, blessing follows. He understood some things we need to get ahold of today.
Application:
It is usually the fear of punishment that keeps you doing the right things in life. You don't speed, not because it isn't a good idea, but because you are afraid of a thing called a ticket. Fearing a spanking from a parent keeps a child in line and their obedience brings about blessing. Prosperity awaits those who really fear the Lord according to this verse and my children will be blessed. I want to understand the fear of the Lord better and bring about prosperity for my family.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to fear you. Teach me what it means to fear you. I want to please you every day of my life. I want to sit at your feet and learn of You. You are my rock and my salvation. I need you Lord. Help me to understand and walk in the fear of the Lord.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, October 4, 2010
The King of Glory
Scripture:
Psalm 24:8 "Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle".
Observation:
This is a Psalm of David. The Psalmist has declared, "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up you everlasting doors! And the king of glory shall come in". Next it declares who this king of glory is. He is the Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle". David understood who the Lord was. He knew that God was strong and mighty in battle. He knew beyond any shadow of doubt that God was all powerful!
Application:
I want to know the Lord as David knew Him. David, at times, questioning God, but he always came out declaring the praises of the Lord and knowing he was that Lord mighty in battle. I want to have the confidence in my God that lets me know I am in His hands and can completely and totally trust Him. He is powerful, but sometimes I don't live life like He is. There is nothing too difficult for Him, yet I live sometimes as if He is limited.
Prayer:
Father, I want to know you more. Thank you for an awesome service yesterday. Thank you for coming and touching the lives of people! You are amazing! Help me to pursue You more diligently every day. I want more of You! You are my source and life. You are my strength and vitality. Help me to trust you more and more. I want to see You as David saw you, The undisputed King of Glory".
Psalm 24:8 "Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle".
Observation:
This is a Psalm of David. The Psalmist has declared, "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up you everlasting doors! And the king of glory shall come in". Next it declares who this king of glory is. He is the Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle". David understood who the Lord was. He knew that God was strong and mighty in battle. He knew beyond any shadow of doubt that God was all powerful!
Application:
I want to know the Lord as David knew Him. David, at times, questioning God, but he always came out declaring the praises of the Lord and knowing he was that Lord mighty in battle. I want to have the confidence in my God that lets me know I am in His hands and can completely and totally trust Him. He is powerful, but sometimes I don't live life like He is. There is nothing too difficult for Him, yet I live sometimes as if He is limited.
Prayer:
Father, I want to know you more. Thank you for an awesome service yesterday. Thank you for coming and touching the lives of people! You are amazing! Help me to pursue You more diligently every day. I want more of You! You are my source and life. You are my strength and vitality. Help me to trust you more and more. I want to see You as David saw you, The undisputed King of Glory".
Friday, October 1, 2010
From Sincere Hearts
Scripture:
Psalm 15:1-2 "Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts."
Observation:
David writes this Psalm about who can worship in God's sanctuary. He talks about who can enter into God's presence. He says it is the ones who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Truth and sincerity are always on God's top ten list. He wants us to be people who are truthful and live lives above reproach. He asks for integrity.
Application:
There are times when I don't follow this verse in its fullness. I don't always speak the truth from a sincere heart. Many times I don't say things that need to be said because I don't like confrontation and avoid it at all costs. My heart is sincere, but I don't always say things that I know I need to say because I like people to like me. Coming into God's presence requires that we speak the truth from sincere hearts, not vengeful or mean hearts, but hearts that truly want others to be blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to say the things that will bring forth the best end for people. Teach me to speak the truth, even when the truth hurts. Help me to love people enough to say things from a sincere heart. Let my confrontations always be to bring about the best and to help others. Let the sincere heart show forth. I love your presence and want to experience more of it every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 15:1-2 "Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts."
Observation:
David writes this Psalm about who can worship in God's sanctuary. He talks about who can enter into God's presence. He says it is the ones who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Truth and sincerity are always on God's top ten list. He wants us to be people who are truthful and live lives above reproach. He asks for integrity.
Application:
There are times when I don't follow this verse in its fullness. I don't always speak the truth from a sincere heart. Many times I don't say things that need to be said because I don't like confrontation and avoid it at all costs. My heart is sincere, but I don't always say things that I know I need to say because I like people to like me. Coming into God's presence requires that we speak the truth from sincere hearts, not vengeful or mean hearts, but hearts that truly want others to be blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to say the things that will bring forth the best end for people. Teach me to speak the truth, even when the truth hurts. Help me to love people enough to say things from a sincere heart. Let my confrontations always be to bring about the best and to help others. Let the sincere heart show forth. I love your presence and want to experience more of it every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
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